Spitfire IX BS125 SAAF

[north_weald]

Anyone got any information/photos about BS125? It was last recorded heading to SAAF in 1948. Anyone from South Africe perhaps know?

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

Acording to "85 years o SAAF" she was one of 83 a/c shipped out to Cape Town in 1948( except one to Durban, ML628).

BS125 - Spitfire F.IXc (Merlin 61); Became SAAF No. 5??? (range 5555-5637); TOC/RAF 24.7.42; Arrived South Africa, Cape Town (via Birkenhead[79] and Liverpool [4= BS538 arr 4.12.48, EN345 arr14.5.49, PL203 arr19.6.49,TB569 arr 4.12.48] ) 28.4/48 - SAAF fate unknown.

BS125 - Desp 9.4.48; Arrival 28.4.48; Ship - "Clan Forbes"; one of 7 aircraft; RAF Serials: BS125,LZ842,MJ220,MJ224,ML145(became 5557),PT614(became5555),SM506(became 5556).

Seems lowest number - Of those shipped to Cape Town ( in 1948) was 5555 and the highest number was 5607, some 53 a/c. The rest were to arrive in 1949.

Alex

[north_weald]

Super information! Thank you very, very much

[Alex Smart]

Hello again,
Have checked "Spitfire the History" ans "Spitfire International" and came up with the following info which may be of use.
The "Clan Forbes" seven (BS125; LZ842; MJ220; MJ224; ML145; PT614 and SM506).
BS125 - 3193 - Eastleigh - F.IXc - Merlin 61.
LZ842 - F.IXc - Merlin 63.
MJ220 - F.IXc - Merlin 63.
MJ224 - F.IXc - Merlin 63.
ML145 - HF.IX - Merlin 70 - SAAF 5557.
PT614 - HF.IX - Merlin 70 - SAAF 5555.
SM506 - HF.IX - Merlin 70 - SAAF 5556.
While PL253 one of six shipped in the "Clan Chattam" was an HF.IX with a Merlin 70 - SAAF 5558.
And BS408 (3555 - Chattis Hill) shipped in the "City of Cape Town" was an F.IXc with a Merlin 63 - SAAF 5564.
Of all the other F.IXc's that were shipped only the following had Merlin 61's.
BS125(3193 - Eastleigh); BS200(3220 - Chattis Hill); BS538( 3482 - R-R Hucknall) and three delivered in 1949, BR601(SAAF 5631); MH355; EN345.
One other was an earlier acquisition, EN430 which was a PRXI.

My curiosity is - Which if any of the 83 aircraft had the "Bubble" canopy ?

All the best
Alex